Self-efficacy: Judgments of Ability or Willingness?

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Abstract

The present studies attempted to clarify the constructs
of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies in relation
to college student drinking. In study 1, heavy-drinking
college students were asked for efficacy judgments for
limiting their heavy-drinking for increasing periods of
time (e.g. 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc.). Students
were also asked for efficacy judgments for throwing a
basketball into a hoop from increasing distances (e.g.
5 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet). Hypothetical incentives were
offered to change efficacy ratings for the first tasks on
each hierarchy (limiting drinking and basketball) to
which the participant had responded with a negative
efficacy judgments. Hypothetical incentives were also
offered for the most difficult task on each hierarchy.
As predicted, students changed efficacy ratings for
limiting drinking much more frequently. Additionally,
heavy-drinking college students indicated that money
persuaded them to alter their efficacy judgments for
limiting drinking, but lack of ability predominated as
the reason for not altering basketball task efficacy. In
study 2, the relationship between ability judgments,
willingness, and outcome expectancies was explored
by manipulating the wording of questionnaires
presented to heavy-drinking college students. Results
indicated that ability judgments were higher than
willingness judgments for limiting drinking. Willingness
appeared to be related to expected positive and
negative effects of consuming alcohol. Principle
components analysis indicated that ability and
willingness were distinct constructs. Results of both
studies are discussed in terms of the ongoing debate
between Albert Bandura and Irving Kirsch and the
need for a more clarity regarding efficacy and its
measurement.